Recorded Webcasts

Pursuant to a grant from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, The National Judicial presented a three-part webcast series on the Mental Competency—Best Practices Model. Below is a description of each webcast. Click the “View this webcast for free online” to access the recording and watch them.
Faculty members for the webcasts are:

Mental Competency—Best Practices Model: Part 1 (120 min.)

This was the first part of a three part series of webcast to review and discuss The National Judicial College’s Mental Competency – Best Practices Model. The faculty members included Judge Michael Finkle of the King County District Court in Seattle, Washington and Karen Bailey-Smith, Ph.D. of the Director of the Office of Forensic Services for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. During this first part, the faculty members reviewed the components of the model and discuss the systemic challenges faced by courts and mental health professionals in the area of mental competency. Additionally, the faculty members provided an overview of the initial hear and referral process as well as the competency evaluation and the contested competency hearing.

Mental Competency—Best Practices Model: Part 2 (120 min.)

This was the second part of a three part series of webcast to review and discuss The National Judicial College’s Mental Competency – Best Practices Model. The faculty members included Judge Michael Finkle of the King County District Court in Seattle, Washington and Karen Bailey-Smith, Ph.D. of the Director of the Office of Forensic Services for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. During this second part, the faculty members explored some of the more difficult issues dealing with restoration including treatment and involuntary medication, post-restoration hearings and preventing decompensation.

Mental Competency—Best Practices Model: Part 3 (120 min.)

This was the third part of a three part series of webcast to review and discuss The National Judicial College’s Mental Competency – Best Practices Model. The faculty members included Judge Michael Finkle of the King County District Court in Seattle, Washington and Karen Bailey-Smith, Ph.D. of the Director of the Office of Forensic Services for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. During this third part, the faculty members explored special issues in mental competency including how to tailor a competency court or docket to meet the needs of their jurisdiction; how to respond effectively to competency cases that are less common; and how to communicate productively with other local, regional and state stakeholders.